Rotatable target

ABSTRACT

A rotatable target is provided. The target may include a body. The body may be made of a semi rigid or rigid material. The present invention may further include a mounting device. The mounting device may include a first end and a second end. The first end may be substantially looped and the second end may be mounted to the body. The target of the present invention may be rotatable about the axis of the second end of the mounting device allowing for the dispersal of energy as well as to providing additional visual stimulation and challenge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to targets and, more particularly, totargets capable of rotation on a line or at a fixed point.

Current targets are affected by undesired movement, lack of desiredmovement and static limitations. These conventional targets often failto provide an adequate challenge or visual stimulation.

Moreover, conventional targets can be inefficient at dispersing energydue to contact with the target, often resulting in target damage orundesired movement.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved target that is capableof desirable and controlled rotation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a rotatable target comprises: atarget comprising a semi rigid to rigid body; and a mounting devicecomprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end issubstantially looped and the second end is mounted to the body of thetarget, wherein the target is rotatable about the axis of the second endof the mounting device.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken alongline 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken alongline 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a target thatcan rotate to allow for dispersal of energy as well as to provideadditional visual stimulation and challenge. Conventional targets can bedesigned to move along a line and sway at a fixed point. The targets ofthe present invention can rotate while simultaneously moving along aline or swaying at a fixed point. In some embodiments, mechanisms can beadded to create sound, light, or other forms of additional stimulationand challenge.

Referring now to FIG. 1 through 4, the present invention includes arotatable target 10. The target 10 may include a body 12. The body 12may be made of a semi rigid or rigid material. The present invention mayfurther include a mounting device 16. The mounting device 16 may includea first end and a second end. The first end may be substantially loopedand the second end may be mounted to the body 12. The target 10 of thepresent invention may be rotatable about the axis of the second end ofthe mounting device 16.

The target 10 can be designed of various materials, such as a moldedimpact resistant material. The body 12 of the present invention may bemade of a surface surrounding an internal housing. In certainembodiments, the mounting device 16 may be an eyebolt 18. At one end ofthe target 10, the eyebolt 18 can be disposed through the surface of thetarget 10, with the eye end of the eye bolt 18 extending from a top sideof the target 10. The second end of the eye bolt 18 may be threaded 22.Threaded nuts 24 and washers 26 can be used to secure the eye bolt 18 tothe target 10. In some embodiments, the eye bolt 18 has a nut 24threaded thereupon (with a washer 26) before insertion into the target10. A second nut 24 and washer 26 can be secured to the threaded end ofthe eye bolt 18. The ease of rotation can be affected by the pressure ofthe two nuts 24 and washers 26 on the target 10.

A reinforcement material or weight piece 20 can be secured to the target10 using epoxy or other similar substances designed to adhere theselected materials. In some embodiments, the reinforcement material orweight piece 20 can be attached to the target 10, while in otherembodiments, the reinforcement material or weight piece 20 can beintegrated into the target 10. The reinforcement material or weightpiece 20 can be disposed to help reinforce the eye bolt 18 as it passesthrough the target 10. For example, the reinforcement material or weightpiece 20 may be secured within the internal housing to the eyebolt 18 inbetween the inside of the surface and the at least one nut 24. Thereinforcement material or weight piece 20 can also be disposed at abottom end of the target 10 for controlling the movement of the target10 when it is hung.

In certain embodiments, the target 10 of the present invention may beattached directly to a suspended wire 11. For example, the eye or thelooped end of the mounting device may be looped around and secured tothe suspended wire 11. In certain embodiments, a spring link or otherattachment member (such as a carabineer or the like) can be attached tothe eye bolt 18 to provide methods for attaching the target 10 at adesired location, such as the line 11 or a fixed point.

The target 10 of the present invention can be used for various purposes.For example, the target 10 can be used for physical education games,where the target 10 can help users practice their hand-eye coordination.While the target 10 is shown as a circular spider shape, includingcutout portions 14 through the surface, other shapes are contemplatedwithin the scope of the present invention. For example, in otherembodiments, the target 10 could be designed as coins and used to helpteach math lessons. In some embodiments, the target 10 could be used invarious types of martial arts training, providing a user with a target10 that can move along various axes to improve coordination or, withsports that use a stick, the target 10 could be used to practice suchstick fundamentals as manipulative lift or accuracy.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotatable target comprising: a targetcomprising a semi rigid to rigid body; and a mounting device comprisinga first end and a second end, wherein the first end is substantiallylooped and the second end is mounted to the body of the target, whereinthe target is rotatable about the axis of the second end of the mountingdevice.
 2. The rotatable target of claim 1, further comprising asuspended wire, wherein the looped first end is attached to thesuspended wire.
 3. The rotatable target of claim 1, wherein the semirigid body comprises a compressible material.
 4. The rotatable target ofclaim 1, wherein the body comprises a surface surrounding an internalhousing.
 5. The rotatable target of claim 4, wherein the body comprisesa plurality of cut out portions through the surface.
 6. The rotatabletarget of claim 4, further comprising at least one weighted piece withinthe internal housing.
 7. The rotatable target of claim 4, wherein themounting device comprises an eye bolt, wherein the second end of theeyebolt comprises a threaded portion.
 8. The rotatable target of claim5, further comprising at least one threaded nut and at least one washersecured to the eyebolt near the first end on an outside of the surface,and at least one threaded nut and at least one washer secured to theeyebolt at the second end on an inside of the surface.
 9. The rotatabletarget of claim 6, further comprising a weighted piece secured withinthe internal housing to the eyebolt in between the inside of the surfaceand the at least one nut.
 10. The rotatable target of claim 1, whereinthe body is substantially round.